momentarily
Americanadverb
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for a moment; briefly.
to pause momentarily.
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at any moment; imminently.
expected to occur momentarily.
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Now Rare. instantly.
adverb
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for an instant; temporarily
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from moment to moment; every instant
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very soon
Etymology
Origin of momentarily
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Maybe, if you are looking for an Australian Wagyu beef of a certain grade, that may be in short supply. But that would be momentarily, in a particular store at a particular point in time.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
However, at least momentarily, it’s still lower than the levels reached in June of 2022, when average gas prices topped $5.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
Already, the price of Brent crude has momentarily jumped to its highest level since July 2024.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
"Old age should burn and rage at close of day," she quotes Dylan Thomas, momentarily sounding like the teacher she once was.
From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026
SJ gave Kathy a reassuring pat on the shoulder, held her hand there momentarily, and then disappeared into the drive-in.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
